In a remote part of Hell, where the "Chaos Brigade" attacked Rias Gremory and fought the Shinto delegate, there was still a purple ball of flame. Despite the warnings, Azazel did not abandon the idea of studying the unusual Gear. In this, he was joined by the best scientist of the underworld, Ajuka Beelzebub. Attempts to somehow transport or seal the mechanism were unsuccessful, so research began to be carried out on site. The two decided to test the theory about the selection of a new carrier of the Longinus. Demons or Fallen were unable to touch it. Things were better with half-breeds, but they also did not succeed. When humans were involved in the experiment, the scientists were able to confirm their guesses. The purple ball did not immediately burn a person, but their hands were burned after a fleeting touch, and if the subject does not release the flame within the next second, then only ash remains. Thanks to this, Azazel began to believe that they only needed to find a suitable host, and they would have another Longinus user in their ranks. The problems that arose after the heroes' attack and the search for suitable people forced the scientists to put the issue of the Incinerator Anthem on the back burner.
A dark-haired girl appeared in the clearing. With a wave of her hand, a wave of energy spread out in all directions, instantly destroying all the magic, abandoned equipment, as well as the demons and fallen guarding this place. She turned to her target — a clot of fire hovering above the ground.
— How problematic you are. And how could I have managed to get in touch with you, — Ophis concentrated the power of infinity, creating a small snake. — It's time to go back, Kio.
As soon as the snake got inside the sphere, the fire flared up with great force, as if fuel was poured into a campfire. The purple flame with black flashes gradually reached five meters in height. The fire began to form the silhouette of a bird. When the figure fully manifested, a bird's cry spread throughout the area. Having declared its return, the phoenix began to shrink in size until a man with white hair appeared in its place.
— It's been a while, Ophis, — the young man said with a smile. — And thank you for your help. Thanks to your snake, I not only saved a month, but also acquired a piece of your power, — an element of infinity appeared on his hand, which he immediately dispelled. — But why did you do this? Earlier, you said that you were not going to participate in all this.
— I still think the idea is stupid, — the girl said with irritation. — Only an idiot like you could come up with this! Disguise your soul as the Anthem of Incineration and calmly unite with the soul of the phoenix.
— But it worked, ha-ha! — Zankok had to dodge the magic launched at him. — Although I don't understand why they decided to believe your words about the carrier, but didn't even doubt that it was the same Sacred Gear in front of them?
— The strong and impartial Dragon God of Infinity has no reason to deceive, — Ouroboros said with a chuckle. — After my words, it never even occurred to them that the longinus was irrevocably absorbed by your soul.
— Ha-ha-ha! That's right. Although they dragged a lot of people here, but, unfortunately for them, no one came, — the phoenix couldn't help but laugh, remembering all those attempts by Azazel and Ajuka. — Did something really happen, since you decided to speed up my return?
As soon as the guy mentioned this, the girl's face twisted.
— The main reason is that Kumiko missed her good-for-nothing father, but something did happen,— Kiyoshi smiled at the mention of his beloved kitten at first, but the last words made him tense up. — A group of bastards from my group decided to kidnap Kuno while she was at our house. I was absent at the time, so they managed to pull it off.
— What happened? — The young man was seriously worried. — Are the girls okay? Are they hurt?
— I understand your feelings, but calm down. They are okay, but I have something to tell you,— Ophis looked sternly at Kiyoshi. — Kuroka and Shirone stood up for Kuno, and a fight broke out. They didn't receive any serious injuries, if you don't count Shirone's fighting style. Only the heroes destroyed the house where the girls were at the time. My bracelet protected the children, — the guy's face reflected a range of emotions upon hearing this. — Susano's arrival helped drive away the bugs from Kyoto, otherwise everything could have become even worse.
— How did my baby react? — the guy asked with a sense of guilt.
— At first, she was very scared, and she had nightmares, — the blond bit his lip until it bled. — Kuroka and Shirone did not leave Kumiko for a step, surrounding her with love and care. The actions of the cats, as well as her new friend, helped her survive this moment, — at the last moment the girl sounded sarcastically, but the cheerful mood quickly disappeared. — Although partially, but what happened is your fault, or rather your absence. If not in the battle with the heroes, then consoling Kumiko. You should have agreed to my help from the very beginning, and not followed stupid plans, wasting time, hanging around in the underworld in the form of a soul.
Phoenix was silent for a moment, digesting his friend's story. His eyes filled with a murderous gleam as he asked: — Are they still alive?
— Yes. I wanted to deal with them, — Ouroboros frowned, remembering Cao Cao and his henchmen, — but your wives talked me out of it. They want to personally get even with those who offended them.
— I understand. Then home?
— Let's go, — the girl agreed, moving them to the entrance of the house. — Just don't be surprised. After the attack, we were placed in Yasaka's palace while the youkai, on her orders, are making a new house, — Kiyoshi looked with curiosity at the four-story mansion, more like a palace. —And as you can see, they overdid it a little.
— Yeah. A little, — the guy said, chuckling. — Okay, let's go inside. I want to see my girls as soon as possible.
Halfway to the entrance, the door swung open and a little girl ran towards them with a joyful cry.
— DADDY! — Kumiko jumped at Zankoku, clinging to him with her arms and legs. — You're finally back!
— Yes, sunshine. Dad's back. Sorry I was gone for so long. — He hugged her tenderly. Looking up, the blond saw his wives watching them from the threshold. — I'm home.
— Welcome home, darling, nya, — Kuroka said with a smile, approaching her husband.
— Welcome back, darling. — Like her sister, Shirone kissed Kiyoshi and joined the group hug.
— Okay, that's enough, — Ophis couldn't take it anymore, nudging the boy in the back. — Let's go inside. — There we can calmly talk over a cup of tea, — the phoenix did not understand why there were mocking notes in Ouroboros's voice. — Don't hesitate. Forward.
Having entered the living room, they settled down on a wide sofa. While the nekoshou had already let go of the blond, but were still close, Kumiko flatly refused to let go. She continued to cling to Kiyoshi with all her limbs. Even her two tails pressed against him.
— And here is the tea, — hearing the sounds of footsteps, Ophis turned her gaze to the entrance to the room.
— A-akeno? — Zankoku said in shock, as soon as he saw a familiar girl with a tray in her hands.
— Please, help yourself, — Himejima only smirked at the sight of the guy, placing her burden on the table.
While the phoenix was looking at Akeno, each of them took a cup of freshly brewed tea, which the new resident of the house makes so well.
— As always, excellent, Akeno, — Ouroboros praised the girl, washing down the snacks that she pulled out of the pocket dimension onto the table.
— Thank you, Ophis-sama.
— How many times have I told you to discard these unnecessary formalities, — the dragon grumbled. — Your addresses are foreign to me. You Japanese are too fixated on such things.
Kiyoshi, not paying attention to their conversation, continued to look at his friend. She watched her lover's reaction with a cheerful smile and half-closed eyes.
"Aura! — the phoenix exclaimed mentally. — That's what felt wrong!" Akeno no longer felt the aura of either demons or fallen ones. Realizing this, the blond asked:
—But how is this possible?
—Noticed, — the girl smiled contentedly. — It's better for me to tell the story from the beginning, — Akeno took a deep breath, plunging into her memories. — After your death, — Akeno said with resentment, and the guy noticed how her pupils in her violet eyes became vertical, making the brunette's gaze resemble a snake's, — I was emotionally broken. The person I love was killed before my eyes.
— I'm sorry, — Zankoku felt guilty for not warning her about his plans.
— Simple words are not enough. Later, I will ask you for something, — Akeno said and returned to her story. — Because of Shinto's ultimatum, the entire top demons were busy, so the decision regarding my fate was postponed for some time. So, I was locked in my room in the Gremory estate while the others were busy with the wounded Hyoudou. When I calmed down a bit, I decided to run away, because nothing good awaited me for attacking Lucifer. Even if I were sent to Grigori, full of hated fallen, I would be under strict control, — Himejima paused to wet her dry throat with a sip from her mug. — So I played on Rias's emotions, telling her that I wanted to visit Issei together, and she agreed. Talking to the wounded boy and comforting my "King", I spent about half an hour there. My convoy, consisting of Gremory servants, let down their guard, which I took advantage of. A bolt of light distracted those around me while I teleported to Kuoh.
— If you knew about the Shinto gods' demand, then why did you take such a risk? — the phoenix asked, frowning.
— Heh, — Akeno smiled sadly. — I was not afraid of death. —At that moment, I had no reason to live. Because of that, I decided to take a risk to avenge your murder by joining the Japanese gods, because I am half a descendant of the Himejima clan,— the girl said proudly. —In Kuoh, I was immediately discovered by the yokai. Fortunately, the group leader ordered not to attack first and, after finding out my name, escorted me to your home.
"Lucky. It seems that Amaterasu-sama or Yasaka foresaw this development and warned their people,"— the phoenix concluded.
— It wasn't until the next day that I felt the main problem of escaping — the instability of demonic energy. I was destined to become a monster like most apostates, but that's when I met Ophis-sama.
— What? — The said person was distracted from destroying the baked goods when the blond's gaze focused on her. — I was nearby when the fox was told about her. Remembering that you were constantly flirting with that girl, I wanted to take a look at her. When I moved to your house, I found Akeno curled up on the floor in a fit of mutation, — Ouroboros continued eating as if nothing had happened while talking about this. — After conducting a small test for Akeno, I created a snake that devoured her figure and turned her into a dragon.
— A test? You were experimenting on her?
— Ha-ha! — Ophis laughed at his words, while Akeno blushed and looked away. — I only asked what she was willing to do to be with you. Haha!
— Ophis-sama! — the brunette cried out, almost crying.
— Okay, I won't tell him, but your answer amused me. Haha!
— The main thing is that you're okay, — the guy didn't pursue the topic any further. — I'm happy that my family is safe and sound.
The rest of the conversation didn't touch on serious topics, focusing on small things. This relaxed atmosphere lasted until the evening, until it was time to go to bed. Kumiko still didn't let go of her father's embrace, presenting the fact that she was sleeping with him today. Kuroka and Shirone only smiled wryly at the girl's antics, allowing her to do so.
***
Two days after Zankoku's return, Yasaka came to visit him. Kitsune brought Kuno with her. And while both little girls were busy playing, the adults discussed their affairs.
— I see you're making up for lost time, — the nine-tailed girl looked at Kuroka with a smile. Nekomata was sprawled tiredly on the couch — she had been lethargic since the moment they met. The cat could barely move, but a contented and sated smile did not leave her face. — How is Shirone?
— My sister doesn't have the strength to leave the bedroom, — the brunette said, yawning. She again sank into a half-sleep.
— Ha-ha-ha! What an energetic young man you are, Kiyoshi. Are we really expecting an addition to your family soon?
— No, — the phoenix did not react to her teasing. — Now is not the right time for this. It's better to wait until we've dealt with the "Khaos Brigade" and the underworld.
— You're right about that, — the woman agreed. — We need to get rid of these pests, — Akeno entered the room with a tray. — Thank you for the tea.
— You're welcome, — the girl sat down next to Kiyoshi after setting down the cups.
— I came to tell you that you have two more days, and then Amaterasu-sama and I will be waiting for you at the temple, — a predatory smile appeared on Yasaka's lips. — All the preparations are almost ready. It's time to make the first move.